Form-retaining pad for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a form-retaining pad, an assembly and a method for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption. For this purpose, the pad is provided with a covering, in which a water-soluble substance, such as milk powder/creamer and sugar, is included. The covering includes a top sheet and a bottom sheet. The pad is further provided with a form-providing stiffening body, placed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, with the top sheet and the bottom sheet extending at least partly substantially parallel to each other and to a surface. The stiffening body has a top side adjacent to the top sheet and a bottom side adjacent to the bottom sheet, and, by providing a compartmenting wall configuration therein, has a grid structure transmissive to liquid, in which structure at least a part of the soluble substance is accommodated and each compartment formed by the wall configuration is surrounded by that wall configuration, the top sheet and the bottom sheet.

The present application is a reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 8,147,886, issuedApr. 3, 2012.

The invention relates to a pad for preparing a beverage suitable forconsumption, provided with at least one first covering, in which asubstance, such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and similar additives,which is soluble in a liquid, such as water, is included, the coveringbeing provided with a top sheet, manufactured from a materialnon-transmissive to the soluble substance, such as a layer of filtermaterial, and with a bottom sheet, manufactured from a materialnon-transmissive to the soluble substance per se, but transmissive tothe substance dissolved in a liquid, such as a layer of filter material.

Such a pad is known per se. The known pad is intended for use in amachine known per se, such as a coffee maker, for preparing the beveragesuitable for consumption. Here, the pad is placed in a holder of themachine, after which hot water is supplied to the holder by means of themachine. Then, the hot water flows through a top filter sheet to aninner space of the covering in which the water-soluble substance ispresent. This substance dissolves in the water and then leaves the padthrough a bottom filter sheet. The holder is provided with, forinstance, at least one outlet opening through which the water with thesubstance dissolved therein can flow out of the holder.

A disadvantage of the known pad is that, in use, a considerable part ofthe water-soluble substance does not dissolve. The result is that, afterpreparation of the beverage suitable for consumption, a considerablepart of the substance remains in the pad unused.

It is an object of the invention to provide a form-retaining pad,allowing a larger part of the substance to dissolve when preparing anamount of beverage suitable for consumption than with the known pad,when the same amounts of beverage suitable for consumption are preparedwith the known pad and the pad according to the invention.

For this purpose, in accordance with the invention, a form-retaining padis provided for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, providedwith at least one first covering, in which, in a liquid, such as water,soluble substance, such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and similaradditives, is included, the covering comprising a top sheet,manufactured from a material non-transmissive to the soluble substance,such as a layer of filter material, and a bottom sheet, manufacturedfrom a material non-transmissive to the soluble substance, buttransmissive to the substance dissolved in a liquid, such as a layer offilter material, the pad being further provided with a form-providingstiffening body, placed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet, thetop sheet and the bottom sheet extending at least partly substantiallyparallel to each other and to a surface, the stiffening body having atop side adjacent to the top sheet and a bottom side adjacent to thebottom sheet, and, by provision of a compartmenting wall configurationtherein, having a grid structure transmissive to liquid from the topside to the bottom side, in which structure at least a part of thesoluble substance is accommodated and each compartment formed by thewall configuration is surrounded by that wall configuration, the topsheet and the bottom sheet. The measures according to the invention,that is, using a more or less block or disc-shaped stiffening body withgood permeability, but also with a dividing and separating pattern forthe soluble substance, are found to result in a larger part of thatsubstance being dissolved when the liquid flows through than in theknown pad. The possible cause of this is that the water flows throughthe pad with a better spread and/or that, as a result of thecompartmenting wall configuration, the formation of relatively largelumps, that is, lumps larger than the passages in the grid structuretransmissive to liquid, is prevented.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a preference isexpressed with regard to the important wall configuration that at leasta part of the compartmenting wall configuration is formed by a gridwhich forms a plurality of compartments. In this manner, the stiffeningbody can be divided in a suitable manner into any desired transmissivegrid with mutually separated compartments. In addition, it is alsopossible for at least a part of the compartmenting wall configuration tobe formed by a spiral-shaped wall. In that case, it is possible tocreate a single long continuous compartment with a width suitable forthe purpose. In fact, this involves a grid in which a plurality ofneighboring compartments are interconnected and form the long continuouscompartment, for instance by at least one opening in walls between theseneighboring compartments. Of course, it is also possible to design agrid to be combined with an outer, inner or interposed spiral. Elongatedcompartments with a suitable width can also be realized by aconfiguration of parallel walls. Which specific wall configurationeffects the most complete dissolution of the soluble substance in aspecific case of application depends on the nature of the solublesubstance(s), the supplied liquid and other factors, such as pressureand temperature.

Lumps often consist of a powder core, surrounded by a viscous mass whichinhibits relatively fast dissolution of the powder core. In order toreduce the chance of such lumping together of the soluble substance, arelatively fine passage structure is preferred, that is, it can offeradvantages according to a further embodiment of the invention, if eachcompartment formed by the wall configuration, measured perpendicular toa part of the wall configuration, has a width which is smaller than athird, preferably smaller than a quarter, more preferably smaller than asixth, even more preferably smaller than an eighth of the hydraulicdiameter, with hydraulic diameter being understood to mean the valueobtained by four times dividing the surface by the perimeter of thestiffening body. In fact, this means that each particle of the solublesubstance in the transmissive grid structure is located at a distancecloser than the width referred to from a surface of the wallconfiguration. By keeping this distance relatively small, the diameterof a lump possibly starting to form will be relatively small, with theresult that this lump will probably not be formed, or, due to itsrelatively small dimensions, and therefore small or no powder core, willdissolve quickly.

Preferably, neighboring compartments are separated by a single wall. Inthis manner, the inner space of the covering is optimally utilized to befilled with the substance. In other words, here, the wall configurationcan take up a relatively small volume part of the inner part of the pad.

In particular, further, the top sheet is fixed to a top side of thestiffening body and the bottom sheet is fixed to a bottom side of thestiffening body. Here, the top sheet and the bottom sheet respectivelycan be fixed to the stiffening body near a longitudinal edge of the topsheet and the bottom sheet respectively. Further, in particular, the topsheet is fixed to a top side of the wall configuration and the bottomsheet is fixed to a bottom side of the wall configuration. Here, it iseven possible for the top sheet and the bottom sheet to be connected tothe edges of the compartments located near the openings so that thecompartments are closed by the top sheet and bottom sheet. When thesubstance is powdery, this means that the substance cannot, forinstance, move from one compartment to another compartment.

In particular, the pad is further provided with a second coveringmanufactured at least partly from a sheet-shaped filter material, inwhich the product to be extracted, such as ground coffee, is included,with the second covering extending above or under the first coveringsubstantially parallel to the surface. When the substance consists of amilk powder/creamer and/or sugar and the product to be extracted ofground coffee, such a form-retaining pad is extremely suitable forpreparing cappuccino. Here, in use, when, for instance, the secondcovering is located above the first covering, hot water is suppliedunder pressure to the top side of the second covering. In the secondcovering, this hot water forms a coffee extract which then flows to thefirst covering under the influence of the pressure, where the substancewill dissolve in the coffee extract. The coffee extract with thesubstance dissolved therein then leaves the form-retaining pad throughthe bottom sheet of the first covering. The beverage obtained in thismanner (coffee with dissolved substance) is now ready for consumption.However, the beverage can also be supplied to the apparatus described inEuropean patent application 0 878 158 and by means of which air iswhipped into the beverage to obtain a small-bubbled foam layer on thebeverage. The beverage obtained in this manner is a cappuccino which isready for consumption. Also, the beverage can be supplied to other knownapparatuses to undergo further processing. For preparing the beverage,the form-retaining pad can be included in a holder known per se, whichholder is provided with at least one outlet opening. In particular, thisat least one outlet opening can form the spout opening described inEuropean patent application 0 878 158 for obtaining a jet of thebeverage which spouts into a buffer reservoir for obtaining a beveragewith a small-bubbled foam layer.

In particular, the second embodiment is provided with a second coveringprovided with a top sheet manufactured at least partly from sheet-shapedfilter material and a bottom sheet from sheet-shaped filter material,the top sheet and the bottom sheet being interconnected and preferablybeing interconnected at their longitudinal edges and more preferablybeing directly interconnected, with the interconnected parts forming acircular joint.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention can be obtained byproviding the bottom side of the stiffening body with a bulging part,which is formed by increasing the height of a central part of thecompartmenting wall configuration and has a surface extending parallelto aforesaid surface. If the central part is further arranged in areceded position relative to a bottom edge of a circumferential wall ofthe stiffening body such that the bottom side of the compartmenting wallconfiguration between the edge of the central surface and the bottomedge of the circumferential wall recedes relative to a line drawnbetween that edge of the central surface and that bottom edge of thecircumferential wall and the bottom sheet extends over the centralsurface and from the edge thereof to the bottom edge of thecircumferential wall, which preferably projects in an annular manner,and is fixed on or near this on the stiffening body, an annular channelis created between the wall configuration and the bottom sheet, whichcan promote the discharge of the liquid with the substance dissolvedtherein. Also in this embodiment, a further covering for including asubstance to be extracted can be provided on the top sheet, with, ifdesired, the bottom side of that covering being formed by said topsheet.

Should it be desired to further refine the spread of the liquid over thestiffening body provided with the compartmenting wall configuration,then a separating body with a number of passages, more in particular awater distribution plate, such as a shower head plate, can be provided,while the separating body can form at least a part of the top sheet, orbe additionally arranged on or under the top sheet.

Generally, the top sheet of the form-retaining pad will be formed by alayer of filter material, such as filter paper. However, it is alsopossible for the form-retaining pad to be designed with a top sheetconsisting of a layer of material non-transmissive to liquid, which isprovided in a withdrawable manner. In particular, this possibility canbe used when a covering with a substance to be extracted, such as groundcoffee, is placed on the form-retaining pad, with the filter layer ofthat covering then covering the then open top side of the form-retainingpad. When the stiffening body is suitably designed, it can be suitablefor reuse in this design. This is because the open top side offers thepossibility to sprinkle a soluble substance in the grid structure formedby the compartmenting wall configuration.

The invention also relates to an assembly of a form-retaining pad and anextraction pad manufactured at least partly from sheet-shaped filtermaterial which is filled with a product to be extracted such as groundcoffee. Here, a size of the extraction pad in a width direction of theextraction pad is preferably larger than a size of the form-retainingpad in a direction of the said surface of the form-retaining pad. Suchan assembly can preferably be used for preparing coffee with hot milk,more in particular for preparing cappuccino. For this purpose, theproduct to be extracted is provided with ground coffee and the solublesubstance is, for instance, provided with milk powder/creamer. Here, forinstance, the form-retaining pad can be placed in a holder, with theextraction pad then being placed on top of the form-retaining pad. Then,for instance, hot water is supplied to the top side of the holder. Thishot water is pressed through the extraction pad so that coffee extractis formed. Then, this coffee extract flows through the form-retainingpad so that the substance dissolves in the coffee extract. Because thesubstance is provided with milk powder/creamer, coffee extract with milkis formed in this manner. The beverage thus suitable for consumption canleave the holder via an outlet opening of the holder. It is againpossible to supply the beverage obtained in this manner under pressureto the apparatus described in the abovementioned European patentapplication 0 878 158 for obtaining a beverage with a small-bubbled foamlayer, in particular for obtaining cappuccino. Here as well, the outletopening of the holder can be designed as the spout opening described inEuropean patent application 0 878 158. The said assembly can also beoffered to the consumer in one package.

The invention also relates to a method for preparing a beverage suitablefor consumption using a form-retaining pad or an assembly, as discussedabove, where an amount of a substance, such as milk powder/creamer,sugar and similar additives, which is soluble in a liquid, such aswater, is accommodated in the form-retaining pad comprising a gridstructure transmissive to liquid, formed by a compartmenting wallconfiguration, in a stiffening body covered in a closing manner by a topsheet and a bottom sheet, as well as an amount of substance to beextracted, such as ground coffee, accommodated in a covering, are placedin a holder, then a liquid, such as hot water is supplied, preferablyunder pressure, to the holder, in particular from a top side thereof, tothe two substances, after which the beverage obtained in this manner istapped via at least one outlet opening in a bottom side of the holder.Preferably, the covering is placed above the form-retaining pad, whileit can be preferred that the beverage obtained can be discharged througha discharge opening designed as a spout opening such that asmall-bubbled foam layer is obtained. Also, the covering can be placedunder the form-retaining pad. As has already been discussed in theforegoing, such a method with a spout opening is particularly suitablefor obtaining cappuccino. The form-retaining pad can be joined to form awhole with the covering or be used with a separate covering, while boththe covering and the pad can be intended for single use, but theform-retaining pad with a design with a withdrawable top sheet can alsobe intended for repeated use.

It is noted that, although a pad with a stiffening body is known fromEP-A-0 398 530, U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,158 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,082,676,this concerns a pad for including a product to be extracted, more inparticular ground coffee. However, in such a pad, the problem of lumpingdoes not occur. The known stiffening bodies referred to are thusprovided with only a few stiffening ribs, which form rather largecompartments and are substantially intended to give a pad which isfreely suspended in a holder sufficient resistance to bending. Asdiscussed above, the form-retaining pad according to the invention isinter alia intended to be placed in a holder in a supported manner, withthe stiffening body preventing lumping, but also having an additionaladvantageous effect. The substance dissolved in the liquid leaves thepad, so that the pad would in effect be empty after dissolution anddischarge of the soluble substance. However, in a position supported ina holder, the form-retaining pad, in its turn, needs to support a secondcovering placed above it containing a product to be extracted such asground coffee. A pad which is drained during the preparation of thebeverage could disturb the extraction process. However, the presence ofthe stiffening body in the thus form-retaining pad according to theinvention ensures that this problem does not occur. This also applieswhen the form-retaining pad is borne by the holder while the secondcovering is located under the form-retaining pad in the holder and isalso borne by the holder.

With reference to embodiments shown in the drawing, but only by way ofnon-limiting examples, the invention will now be explained in moredetail. In this drawing:

FIG. 1 shows a cross-section of a first embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a top plan view of the stiffening body of the pad accordingto FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows, in perspective, the grid of the form-retaining padaccording to FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a detail of the grid of the form-retaining pad according toFIG. 1;

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a second embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 6 shows a cross-section of a third embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 7 shows a cross-section of a fourth embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section of a fifth embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a sixth embodiment of a form-retainingpad according to the invention;

FIG. 10a shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of an assemblyincluded in a holder according to the invention, which assemblycomprises a form-retaining pad according to the invention and anextraction pad;

FIG. 10b shows a top plan view of the extraction pad of the assemblyaccording to FIG. 10a;

FIG. 11 shows a cross-section of a form-retaining pad and an extractionpad according to the invention included in a holder for preparingcappuccino;

FIG. 12 shows a top plan view of a first alternative stiffening body ofthe form-retaining pads according to FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 13 shows a top plan view of a second alternative stiffening body ofthe form-retaining pads according to FIGS. 1-9;

FIGS. 14a-14c 14a, 14b, and 14c show a cross-section of a ninth, tenthand eleventh embodiment of a form-retaining pad according to theinvention respectively;

FIG. 15 shows a top plan view of a stiffening body of a twelfthembodiment of a form-retaining pad according to the invention;

FIG. 16 shows cross-section along the line XVI-XVI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 shows the parts, including a stiffening body according to FIGS.15 and 16, for forming an assembled pad;

FIG. 18 shows the pad consisting of the parts shown in FIG. 17 inassembled form;

FIG. 19a shows a top plan view of a second alternative stiffening bodyof the form-retaining pad according to FIGS. 1-9;

FIG. 19b shows a side view of the stiffening body according to FIG. 19b;

FIG. 20a shows a top plan view of a separating body which can beprovided on a top side of a stiffening body; and

FIG. 20b shows a side view of the separating body according to FIG. 20a.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a form-retaining pad forpreparing a beverage suitable for consumption according to theinvention. The form-retaining pad 1 is provided with at least one firstcovering 2 in which a water-soluble substance 4 is included. In thisexample, the water-soluble substance consists of milk powder/creamer.Other substances, such as powders for preparing drinking chocolate andother beverages suitable for consumption are also conceivable. Also,substances in other forms than powder form are possible such asconcentrates and extracts.

The covering 2 comprises a top sheet 6 manufactured from sheet-shapedfilter material and a bottom sheet 8 manufactured from sheet-shapedfilter material. In this example, the top sheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8are each manufactured from filter paper. However, other filter materialssuch as filter materials of a synthetic are also possible. Theform-retaining pad is further provided with a stiffening body 10 whichis included between the top sheet and bottom sheet. The top sheet andbottom sheet each extend at least partly substantially parallel to asurface 12.

The stiffening body 10 is provided with a compartmenting wallconfiguration extending parallel to the surface 12 and formed by a grid14 (see FIG. 2 and FIG. 3), a plurality of compartments 16 beingprovided in the grid. Each compartment 16 is provided with an opening 20in a top side 18 of the grid 14. Also, each compartment is provided withan opening 24 in a bottom side 22 of the grid. The top side of thestiffening body is adjacent to the top sheet 6 and the bottom side ofthe stiffening body is adjacent to the bottom sheet 8. More inparticular, the top side 18 of the grid is adjacent to the top sheet 6and the bottom side 22 of the grid 14 is adjacent to the bottom sheet 8.The compartmenting wall configuration thus comprises a grid structurewhich is transmissive to liquid from the top side to the bottom side.

In this example, the stiffening body is provided with an upstanding sidewall 26 extending around a side of the grid. Further, the stiffeningbody is provided with a horizontal edge 28 extending around a side ofthe grid. The stiffening body is further provided on the top side withan upstanding edge 30 extending upwards which is in fact in line withthe upstanding side wall 26. The top sheet is fixed to a top side of thestiffening body. In this example, the top sheet 6 is fixed, near itslongitudinal edges, to the upstanding edge 30. The stiffening body isfurther provided, on its bottom side, with a circular edge 32 extendingdownwards. The bottom sheet is fixed to a bottom side of the stiffeningbody. In this example, the bottom sheet 8 is fixed to the edge 32extending downwards. In this example, further, the top sheet is moreoverfixed to a top side of the grid and the bottom sheet is moreover fixedto a bottom side of the grid. Furthermore, a number of the compartmentshave a honeycomb structure. Further, in this example, neighboringcompartments are each separated from one another by single side walls34. In this example, each of the compartments is filled with awater-soluble substance such as milk powder/creamer.

Furthermore, the pad 1 has a flat shape, with the pad having largerdimensions in the direction of the surface 12 than in a direction 35perpendicular to the surface 12.

In this example, the grid/the compartmenting wall configuration ismanufactured from a synthetic, such as plastic. However, the grid/thecompartmenting wall configuration can also be manufactured from othermaterials such as metal, rubber, cardboard and/or a biodegradablematerial. In particular, the entire stiffening body is manufactured froma synthetic such as plastic, metal, rubber, cardboard and/or abiodegradable material. Further, in the example, the form-retaining padhas a disc-shaped (the shape of a round disc) design. The pad has, forinstance, a diameter d of 40-80 mm, in particular a diameter ofapproximately 60 mm. The height of the pad is, for instance, 5-20 mm, inparticular approximately 7 mm. A diameter 1 of the compartments forminga honeycomb structure is, for instance, 5-10 mm and preferablyapproximately 7 mm.

The form-retaining pad can be used in a manner known per se forpreparing a beverage suitable for consumption. Thus, the pad can, forinstance, be placed in the holder which is open on its top side andwhich is provided with at least one outlet opening in its bottom side.Such holders are known per se and are usually used in machines known perse for preparing a beverage suitable for consumption, such as espressomachines and other types of machines. By means of the machine, forinstance, hot water can supplied under pressure to a top side of theholder. This hot water penetrates the form-retaining pad through the topsheet, with the substance dissolving in the water. The hot water withthe substance dissolved therein can then leave the form-retaining padvia the bottom sheet and can then leave the holder via the at least oneoutlet opening. As a result of the compartments, here, a relativelylarge part of the substance will dissolve in the water. The beveragesuitable for consumption which leaves the holder can then be collectedin a container such as a cup. However, it is also possible for thebeverage from the holder to be supplied to a spout opening for preparinga beverage suitable for consumption with a small-bubbled foam layer,such as for instance described in European patent application 0 878 158.Here, the outlet opening of the holder can, for instance, be designed asthe spout opening.

In the example of FIG. 1, the top sheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8 areinterconnected by interposition of the upstanding side wall 26. However,it is also possible for the top sheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8 to bedirectly interconnected. This is shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 5, the bottomsheet 8 and the top sheet 6 are interconnected and, in this example,interconnected at longitudinal edges 36 of the top and bottom sheet and,in this example, moreover, directly connected to each other, theinterconnected parts forming a circular joint 38. Here, the top sheetand/or the bottom sheet can also be connected to the top side 18 of thegrid 14 and the bottom side 22 of the grid 14 respectively as discussedwith reference to FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows an alternative embodiment of the pad according to FIGS.1-4. In FIGS. 1 and 6, a number of corresponding parts are designated bythe same reference numerals. In the pad according to FIG. 6, the topsheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8 are connected to an outer side 37 of theupstanding wall. The top sheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8 respectively canoptionally further be connected to a top side and a bottom side of thegrid (optionally at a few points).

So, as discussed, the top sheet can be fixed to the stiffening body invarious manners. For instance, it is possible for the top sheet to beconnected (optionally only) to a top side of the grid. It is alsopossible for the top sheet to be connected (optionally only) to a topside of the upstanding side wall. In addition, it is possible for thetop sheet to be connected (optionally only) to an outer side of theupstanding side wall. In particular, in the latter two options, the topsheet is also fixed to a top side of the grid. In the latter case, it isfurther possible for the top sheet to be fixed to only a few points ofthe top side of the grid. It is also possible for the top sheet andbottom sheet to be directly fixed to each other.

Also, as discussed, the bottom sheet can be fixed to the stiffening bodyin various manners For instance, it is possible for the bottom sheet tobe connected (optionally only) to a bottom side of the grid. It is alsopossible for the bottom sheet to be connected (optionally only) to abottom side of the upstanding side wall. In addition, it is possible forthe bottom sheet to be connected (optionally only) to an outer side ofthe upstanding side wall. In particular, in the latter two options, thebottom sheet is also fixed to a bottom side of the grid. In the lattercase, it is further possible for the bottom sheet to be fixed to thebottom side of the grid to only a few points.

In particular, the pad is further provided with a second covering 39 asshown in FIG. 7. In this example, the covering 39 is manufactured fromsheet-shaped filter material. This sheet-shaped filter material can, forinstance, be provided with filter paper. However, other sheet-shapedfilter materials such as synthetic filter materials are also possible.In the second covering, a product to be extracted 40 such as coffee ortea is included. In this example, however, the product to be extractedis ground coffee 40. In this example, the second covering 39 is locatedabove the first covering 2 and extends at least substantially parallelto the surface 12. In FIG. 7, the first covering 2 corresponds to thecovering 2 discussed with reference to FIGS. 1-4. The second covering isprovided with a top sheet 41 manufactured from sheet-shaped filtermaterial and a bottom sheet 42 manufactured from sheet-shaped filtermaterial. The top sheet 41 can, for instance, be manufactured fromfilter paper. This also applies to the bottom sheet 42. The top sheet 41and the bottom sheet 42 are interconnected at their longitudinal edges,the interconnected parts forming a circular joint 43. The first andsecond covering are interconnected. In the pad according to FIG. 7, thishas been realized because the bottom sheet 42 of the second covering 39consists of the top sheet 6 of the first covering 2. It is also possiblefor the second covering 39 to be located under the first covering 2. Inparticular, the top sheet 41 of the second covering 39 then consists ofthe bottom sheet 8 of the first covering 2.

The form-retaining pad according to FIG. 7 can preferably be used forpreparing coffee with milk. For this purpose, the form-retaining padaccording to FIG. 7 is, for instance, placed in a holder known per seof, for instance, an espresso machine in the above-described manner.Then, hot water is supplied to a top side of the holder, preferablyunder pressure. In this manner, the water is supplied to both substancesof the first and second covering. In this example, the hot water flows,at least partly, through the top sheet 41 to an inner space 44 of thesecond covering, where the coffee extract is formed. This coffee extractleaves the second covering 39 via the bottom sheet 42 and then entersthe first covering 2 because the bottom sheet 42 also forms the topsheet of the first covering 2. In the first covering 2, the coffeeextract flows through the compartments, where the substance willdissolve in the coffee extract and coffee with milk is formed. Then,this coffee with milk flows out of the pad 1 of FIG. 7 via the bottomsheet 8. Then, the coffee with milk can leave the holder via the atleast one outlet opening of the holder. Thus, an amount of substance,such as milk powder/creamer, sugar and similar additives, soluble in aliquid, such as water, which is accommodated in the form-retaining padcomprising a grid structure transmissive to liquid, formed by acompartmenting wall configuration, in a stiffening body, covered in aclosing manner by a top sheet and a bottom sheet, as well as a substanceto be extracted, such as ground coffee, accommodated in a secondcovering, are placed in a holder, and then a liquid, such as hot water,is supplied to the holder to the two substances, in particular from atop side of the holder and preferably under pressure, after which thebeverage obtained in this manner is tapped via at least one outletopening in a bottom side of the holder. As discussed above, the beverageobtained in this manner can also be supplied to an apparatus forobtaining a beverage with a small-bubbled foam layer, as described in,for instance, European patent application 0 878 158. In this manner,cappuccino can be formed. Here, the outlet opening of the holder can bedesigned as the spout opening of the apparatus according to thisEuropean patent publication. When the second covering is placed belowthe first covering in the holder known per se and water is supplied to atop side of the holder, the water will first of all flow through thefirst covering, causing the substance in the first covering to dissolve,and the water will then flow through the extraction pad. In this case,the liquid is first supplied to the soluble substance and then to thesubstance to be extracted.

FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the form-retaining pad of FIG.7 filled with a product to be extracted 40. The pad of FIG. 8 is alsoprovided with a second covering 39. The stiffening body is furtherprovided with an annular upstanding edge 45. To a top side of theupstanding edge 45, the top sheet 41 of the second covering 39 is fixed.Here, the bottom sheet 42 of the second covering also consists of thetop sheet 6 of the first covering 2.

FIG. 9 shows a second alternative embodiment for the form-retaining padof FIG. 7. In FIG. 9 as well, the form-retaining pad is provided with asecond covering 39 manufactured from sheet-shaped filter material suchas filter paper, in which a product to be extracted such as groundcoffee or tea 40 is included. In this example, the product to beextracted is ground coffee. Here as well, the second covering extendsabove the first covering at least substantially parallel to the surface12. The first covering 2 corresponds to the covering as discussed withreference to FIGS. 1-3. However, the first covering 2 can also bedesigned as discussed with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. The secondcovering 39 is again provided with a top sheet 60 manufactured fromsheet-shaped filter material such as filter paper and a bottom sheet 62manufactured from sheet-shaped filter material such as filter paper. Inthis example, however, the bottom sheet 62 consists of another sheetthan the top sheet 6 of the first covering. The bottom sheet 62 and thetop sheet 6 can be fixed to each other in a manner known per se, suchas, for instance, by means of an adhesive connection 47. It is alsopossible for the combination of the first covering 2 and the secondcovering 39 to be included in a third covering 46. In this example, thethird covering 46 is provided with a top sheet 48 manufactured from asheet-shaped filter material such as filter paper and a bottom sheet 50manufactured from sheet-shaped filter material such as filter paper. Thebottom sheet 50 and the top sheet 48 are interconnected near theirlongitudinal edges. These longitudinal edges form a circular joint 52.In this example, the first covering 2 and the second covering 39 arekept together by the third covering 46 and the first covering 2 and thesecond covering 39 are not necessarily directly interconnected.

The form-retaining pad of FIG. 9 can likewise preferably be used, ineach of its variants, for preparing coffee with milk and in particularfor preparing cappuccino as discussed with reference to FIG. 7.

FIG. 10a shows an assembly according to the invention. The assembly 54is provided with a form-retaining pad 1 of a type as discussed withreference to FIGS. 1-4 or, for instance, FIG. 5 or FIG. 6. The assemblyis further provided with an extraction pad 56 known per se filled with aproduct to be extracted, such as for instance ground coffee. Theextraction pad known per se is manufactured from sheet-shaped filtermaterial such as filter paper and is, in this example, filled withground coffee 58. A size of the extraction pad in a width direction B(see FIG. 10b) of the extraction pad is at least as large as and, inthis example, corresponds to the size of the form-retaining pad in thedirection of the said surface 12. In this example, the form-retainingpad 1 and the extraction pad 56 each have a disc-shaped design, with theform-retaining pad and extraction pad having an at least virtually equaldiameter. The extraction pad known per se 56 is again provided with atop sheet 60 manufactured from sheet-shaped filter material such asfilter paper and a bottom sheet 62 manufactured from sheet-shaped filtermaterial such as filter paper, the top sheet and the bottom sheet beinginterconnected near their longitudinal edges, the connected partsforming a joint 64.

Because the size of the extraction pad in the width direction B of theextraction pad is at least as large as and, in this example, correspondsto the size of the form-retaining pad in the direction of the surface12, the form-retaining pad and the extraction pad can simply be includedin a holder 66 provided with at least one outlet opening 68. Theform-retaining pad 1 then rests on the bottom of the holder, while theextraction pad 56 is positioned on top of the form-retaining pad (seeFIG. 10a). Then, hot water can be supplied to the top side of the holderfor preparing the beverage suitable for consumption. In particular, thewater is supplied under pressure. This pressure can assume the usualvalues for preparing espresso or coffee using the Senseo system. Anadditional advantage of the form-retaining pad in the examples is thatthe form of the form-retaining pad does not change or does not changesubstantially when the soluble substance dissolves and leaves theform-retaining pad. Therefore, the extraction process is notuncontrollably affected because a displacement and/or deformation of theextraction pad resulting from a deformation of the form-retaining paddoes not occur or at least hardly occurs. This does not only apply whenthe extraction pad rests upon the form-retaining pad in the holder, butalso when the form-retaining pad in the holder is supported by theholder while the extraction pad is located in the holder under theform-retaining pad. FIG. 11 also shows a holder known per se 66 in whichthe form-retaining pad 1 as well the extraction pad 56 of FIG. 10a areincluded. Because of the specific shape of the holder 66, in thisexample, the extraction pad 56 has a larger diameter than theform-retaining pad 1. This allows the extraction pad 56 to be positionedabove (upstream of) the form-retaining pad. As said, hot water can besupplied (under pressure) to a top side of the holder 66, which hotwater flows, at least partly, successively through the extraction pad 56and the form-retaining pad 1, so that coffee extract and coffee extractwith milk are formed successively. The coffee extract with milk leavesthe holder 66 via the outlet opening 68 of the holder. In particular,the outlet opening 68 is designed as a spout opening known per se asdescribed in European patent application 0 878 158. With this, a jet ofcoffee extract with milk is formed which spouts into a buffer reservoir70 for obtaining a coffee extract with milk with a small-bubbled foamlayer. In particular, in this example, cappuccino is formed in thismanner. Instead of the assembly according to FIG. 10a, theform-retaining pad according to FIG. 7, 8 or 9 can also be used to fillthe holder 66. Such variants are each considered to be within the scopeof the invention.

FIG. 12 shows a stiffening body 10 which can replace the stiffening body10 of the pads according to FIGS. 1-9 to obtain alternativeform-retaining pads according to the invention. The stiffening body isprovided with compartments 16.1 located on an outer ring 80,compartments 16.2 located on a ring 82 within the outer ring,compartments 16.3 located on a ring 84 within the ring 82, compartments16.4 located on a ring 86 within the ring 84 and compartments 16.5located on a ring 88 within the ring 86. The compartments 16.1 and 16.2are smaller than the compartments 16.3. Also the compartments 16.3 aresmaller than the compartments 16.4. So, the stiffening body comprises aplurality of relatively small compartments (16.1 & 16.2 and 16.3respectively) which are located at a relatively short distance from acircular edge 90 of the stiffening body and the stiffening bodycomprises a plurality of relatively large compartments (16.4 and 16.5respectively) which are located at a relatively long distance from thecircular edge. It has been found that, for instance, in use according toFIGS. 10 and 11, a relatively large part of the substance dissolves. Inparticular, the substance present in the compartments located at arelatively short distance from the circular edge also dissolves well. Ithas been found that a water flow through these compartments is sometimeshindered because, in use, the form-retaining pad lies on the bottom ofthe holder 66 at the location of these compartments. The surface of thecompartments 16.1 is, for instance, 25-55 mm² and preferably 40 mm². Thecompartments 16.2, 16.3 and 16.4 are 35-66 mm² and preferably 50 mm²,45-75 mm² and preferably 60 mm², and 55-85 mm² and preferably 70 mm²respectively. FIG. 13 shows that the grid can also comprise compartments16 which have an elongated design and are directed at least virtuallyparallel to each other. Here, for instance, it applies that d2>>d1.FIGS. 14a-14c show examples in which the bottom sheet 8 does not abutthe grid everywhere. In those places where the bottom sheet 8 does notabut the grid, receiving spaces 92 are shown which can each, at leastpartly, be filled with the substance 4.

The stiffening body 90 shown in top plan view in FIG. 15 is providedwith an annular circumferential wall 91, with two further annular walls92 and 93 concentrically extending within the circumferential wall 91.From a central pen 94, eight walls 95 extend in a radiallyrotation-symmetrically distributed manner to the circumferential wall91. In the middle between each two walls 95, a radially extending wall96 is provided between the annular wall 93 and the circumferential wall91. As shown in FIG. 16, the circumferential wall has a curvedcross-section, so the circumferential wall 91 has an open dish shapewith an open bottom, with a circular edge 97 extending downwards havingformed near the circumference of the open bottom. Further, it is visiblefrom FIG. 16 that the annular wall 93 has a greater height than theannular wall 92, with the annular wall 93 projecting through the saidopen bottom. The walls 95 and 96 follow the profile thus formed by theannular walls, the difference in height between the annular walls 95 and96 being compensated on the bottom side by a smooth transition in theshape of an extended S. Thus, the stiffening body 90 is provided withbulging central part in relation to the circumferential wall 91.Further, the central pen 94 is has a somewhat shorter design than theannular wall 93, so the compartments adjacent to the central pen 94 areinterconnected.

FIG. 17 diagrammatically shows the stiffening body 90 shown in FIGS. 15and 16 together with a bottom sheet 100, a top sheet 101 and a coveringsheet 102 for forming an assembled form-retaining pad, as shown in FIG.18. To clarify the manner in which the assembled pad is obtained fromthe parts shown in FIG. 17, in FIG. 17, the corresponding sealing placeson the different parts are designated by corresponding letters a-a, b-b,c-c, d-d, e-e.

As appears from FIG. 18, the central bulging part of the stiffening body90 and the bottom sheet 100 stretched tightly over this and fixed to thecircumferential wall 91 at e form a circular annular channel 103, viawhich channel the compartments adjacent to the walls 96 areinterconnected. This, as well as the interconnection of the compartmentsadjacent to the central pen 94, can promote the complete dissolution anddischarge of the soluble substance from the stiffening body 90.

In particular, in each of the embodiments discussed above, a smallestdimension of a compartment is smaller than a third, preferably smallerthan a quarter, more preferably smaller than a sixth and even morepreferably smaller than a seventh of a smallest diameter of the pad.Also, in each of the embodiments discussed above, a smallest dimensionof a compartment is smaller than twice the thickness of the pad. Also,in each of the embodiments discussed above, the compartments with thesaid dimensions extend over at least virtually the whole pad.Preferably, the number of compartments per m² is 3,000-100,000, morepreferably 10,000-30,000 per m² and even more preferably 16,000-20,000per m². The sheet-shaped filter material can also consists of a plateof, for instance, metal or plastic in which small openings are provided.The sheet-shaped material can also consist of a reticular materialprovided with woven threads between which openings are formed. Inaddition, the pad can be designed such that it can be opened. This canbe done by, for instance, providing the top sheet in a removable manner.The pad can then be opened after use and be filled again with thewater-soluble substance. The form-retaining pad can also be used inapparatuses in which the water is not supplied to the form-retaining padunder pressure (pouring water).

Besides a round shape, the pad can also have other shapes such as arectangular, square or oval shape. In this application, a stiffeningbody is involved. This is understood to mean that the body is so rigidthat the body will hardly, if at all, deform in use.

In each of the embodiments described above, the walls 34 can alsoenclose angles other than ninety degrees with the surface 12. Also, thenormal of each of the walls 14 can vary in vertical direction.

According to a special embodiment, a compartment is provided with morethan one opening in its top side and/or bottom side. It is also possiblefor neighboring compartments to be interconnected, for instance by atleast one opening in at least one wall 34 between these neighboringcompartments. In this manner, a spiral-shaped stiffening body can alsobe obtained as will be discussed hereafter with reference to FIGS. 19aand 19b. Thus, it is possible for at least a part of the compartmentingwall configuration to be formed by a spiral-shaped wall. An example ofsuch a stiffening body 200 is shown in FIGS. 19a and 19b and can, forinstance, be used in each of the form-retaining pads according to FIGS.1-10. Additionally, near the spiral 202, a number of side walls 204 canoptionally be provided, of which a number are shown in dotted lines inFIG. 19a. However, these side walls can also be omitted.

In this application. a coffee pad is also understood to mean a coffeecartridge known per se.

In particular, further, for instance, the holder 66 and theform-retaining pad 1 as shown in FIGS. 10a, 11 can be interconnectedbefore the extraction pad 56 and/or the second covering 39 are placed inthe holder. Preferably, the form-retaining pad and the holder have anintegrated design. This means that the form-retaining pad is furtherprovided with a holder with a receiving space for including anextraction pad filled with a substance to be extracted such as groundcoffee or tea, with the first covering being located below the receivingspace and being in fluid communication with the receiving space. Theform-retaining pad and holder then form, for instance, a “disposableholder”.

In each of the form-retaining pads discussed, for instance withreference to FIGS. 1-6, 10-16 and 19, the top sheet of the firstcovering can be manufactured from a sheet non-transmissive to liquid,which is provided in a removable manner. This can then be removed beforewater is supplied to the form-retaining pad, when this pad has, forinstance, been placed in the holder 66.

In particular, the tearable layer is removed before the form-retainingpad is placed in the holder and the second covering is placed on top ofit or under it. The holder according to FIGS. 10a and 11 can, in use,also assume other positions when water is supplied to the holder underpressure; for instance, the holder 66 can also stand on its side orupside down. It is also conceivable that other types of holders are usedin which the water is, for instance, supplied to a side or bottom sideof the holder. Also, the form-retaining pad can further be characterizedin that, on the stiffening body, a separating body with a number ofpassages, more in particular a water distribution plate, such as ashower head plate, has been provided. Such a separating body 210 isshown, for instance, in FIGS. 20a and 20b. The passages 212 can vary innumber, position and (hydraulic) diameter. In particular, the separatingbody forms at least a part of the top sheet of the first covering. It isalso possible for the separating body to be placed above the top sheetof the first covering 2. It is also possible for the separating body tobe placed under the top sheet of the first covering 2. Here, the topsheet can be designed in a removable manner as discussed above and havea design non-transmissive to liquid. Also, the top sheet may bemanufactured from a layer of filter material. The separating body may bemanufactured from plastic or another material such as metal. Also, thetop sheet may be partly (for instance an outer ring) formed from filterpaper and partly (for instance an inner disc) from the separating body.It is also possible for the top sheet and the bottom sheet to form oneand the same sheet of the first covering. Then, the notion of top sheetand the notion of bottom sheet are not limited to two different sheetswhich are interconnected. Other sheets or a single sheets can also forma (fictitious) top sheet and bottom sheet of the covering. So, thebottom sheet can also be a part of at least one sheet extending to thetop side of the pad. The same applies, completely analogously, to thetop sheet; optionally, this can also be partly formed from a sheetextending to the bottom side of the pad. All this also applies to thesecond covering.

In this example, the substance consists of milk powder/creamer. Othersubstances such as powder for drinking chocolate and powder forobtaining other flavors and variants are also conceivable. It is alsoconceivable that the substance has another form than the powder form.The substance may also be provided with a concentrate and/or an extract.Further, the stiffening body and the grid may be manufactured from othermaterials than synthetic, such as for instance cardboard, metal and/orcombinations thereof. Further, the top sheet and the bottom sheet of thefirst covering may also form a concave or convex surface on their outerside. This concave or convex surface is, for instance, determined by aconcave or convex form for the top side 18 and/or bottom side 22 of thegrid. In this case, the top sheet 6 and the bottom sheet 8 are alsodirected substantially parallel to the surface 12. Also, the stiffeningbody can be provided with a number of grids stacked on top of eachother, with, optionally, the compartments of one of the grids beingprovided such that they are receded in the direction of the surface inrelation to the compartments of one of the other grids. Also, in each ofthe examples of FIGS. 7-11 and 18, it is possible for the first covering2 and the second covering 39 to be mutually exchanged. Here, thestiffening body may also be designed according to the alternativesdiscussed above. The first covering 2 with the soluble substance willthen be located above the second covering 39 with the product to beextracted. In the examples, the compartments 16, for the greater part,have a hexagonal design. Other n-gonal shapes (n≦3) are also possible,as well as round and oval shapes. The center-to-center distance m ofneighboring compartments (see FIG. 2) can, for instance, be 6-10 mm andis preferably approximately 7 mm. The diameter of a wall 34 is, forinstance, 0.2-0.5 mm and is preferably approximately 0.35 mm. When it isin powder form, the solubility of the soluble substance can be increasedby agglomerating the powder. Such variants are also considered to bewithin the scope of the invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A pad for preparing a beverage suitable forconsumption comprising: a soluble substance; a first covering having atop sheet that is non-transmissive to the soluble substance and a bottomsheet that is non-transmissive to the soluble substance, buttransmissive to the soluble substance dissolved in a liquid; and astiffening body disposed between the top sheet and the bottom sheet,wherein the stiffening body comprises a wall structure defining aplurality of compartments; a second covering manufactured at leastpartly from sheet-shaped filter material and extending parallel to thefirst covering; a second substance provided within the second covering,the second substance including an extractable product; wherein only thesoluble substance is provided within at least some of the plurality ofcompartments; wherein the liquid flows through the plurality ofcompartments and dissolves substantially all of the soluble substanceand extracts the extractable material from the second substance; andwherein the second covering and the second substance are supported bythe stiffening body; and wherein a number of the compartments form ahoneycomb configuration.
 2. A pad according to claim 1, wherein theplurality of compartments form a grid structure.
 3. A pad for preparinga beverage suitable for consumption comprising: a soluble substance; afirst covering having a top sheet that is non-transmissive to thesoluble substance and a bottom sheet that is non-transmissive to thesoluble substance, but transmissive to the soluble substance dissolvedin a liquid; and a stiffening body disposed between the top sheet andthe bottom sheet, wherein the stiffening body comprises a wall structuredefining a plurality of compartments; wherein the soluble substance isprovided within at least some of the plurality of compartments; whereinthe plurality of compartments comprises a first annular ring ofcompartments and a second annular ring of compartments, the secondannular ring of compartments being a greater distance from the center ofthe stiffening body than the first annular ring of compartments andhaving a smaller size than the first annular ring of compartments suchthat the substance is dissolved substantially evenly in the first andsecond annular rings.
 4. A pad according to claim 1, wherein eachcompartment formed by the wall structure, measured perpendicular to apart of the wall structure, has a width which is smaller than a third ofa hydraulic diameter, wherein the hydraulic diameter is the quotient offour times a passage surface divided by a passage perimeter.
 5. A padaccording to claim 1, wherein each compartment is bounded by a singlewall.
 6. A pad according to claim 1, wherein at least a number of thecompartments have an n-gonal design, wherein n is a whole number greaterthan two.
 7. A pad according to claim 1, wherein at least a number ofthe compartments have a round or oval shape.
 8. A pad according to claim1, wherein the stiffening body is provided with an upstanding side wallextending around the wall structure.
 9. A pad according to claim 1,wherein the stiffening body is provided with a horizontal edge extendingaround the wall structure.
 10. A pad according to claim 1, wherein thetop sheet is fixed to a top side of the stiffening body.
 11. A padaccording to claim 1, wherein the top sheet is fixed to a top side ofthe wall structure.
 12. A pad according to claim 10, wherein the topsheet is fixed to a top side of the upstanding side wall.
 13. A padaccording to claim 8, wherein the top sheet is fixed to an outer side ofthe upstanding side wall.
 14. A pad according to claim 12, wherein thetop sheet is also fixed to a top side of the wall structure.
 15. A padaccording to claim 14, wherein the top sheet is fixed to a few points ofthe top side of the wall structure.
 16. A pad according to claim 1,wherein the bottom sheet is fixed to a bottom side of the stiffeningbody.
 17. A pad according to claim 1, wherein the bottom sheet is fixedto a bottom side of the wall structure.
 18. A pad according to claim 16,wherein the bottom sheet is fixed to a bottom side of the upstandingside wall.
 19. A pad according to claim 8, wherein the bottom sheet isfixed to an outer side of the upstanding side wall.
 20. A pad accordingto claim 19, wherein the bottom sheet is also fixed to a bottom side ofthe wall structure.
 21. A pad according to claim 20, wherein the bottomsheet is fixed to a few points of the bottom side of the wall structure.22. A pad according to claim 1, wherein the bottom sheet and the topsheet are interconnected at their perimeter edges, wherein theinterconnected parts form a joint.
 23. A pad according to claim 1,wherein the pad has a flat shape defining a surface, wherein the pad haslarger dimensions in the direction of the surface than in a directionperpendicular to the surface.
 24. A pad according to claim 1, whereinthe stiffening body is manufactured from a synthetic material.
 25. A padaccording to claim 1, wherein the pad has a disc-shaped design defininga diameter.
 26. A pad according to claim 1, wherein at least one of thetop sheet and the bottom sheet of the first covering is manufactured atleast partly from filter paper.
 27. A pad according to claim 1, whereinthe top sheet of the first covering is provided at least partly with asheet non-transmissive to liquid, the non-transmissive sheet beingprovided in a removable manner.
 28. A pad according to claim 1, whereinthe stiffening body comprises a plurality of relatively smallcompartments located at a relatively short distance from acircumferential edge of the stiffening body and the stiffening bodycomprises a plurality of relatively large compartments located at arelatively long distance from the circumferential edge.
 29. A padaccording to claim 1, wherein the stiffening body comprises, at leastalso, a plurality of elongated compartments directed at leastsubstantially parallel to each other.
 30. A pad according to claim 1,wherein, between the wall structure and the bottom sheet, the pad isprovided with at least one receiving space which is at least partlyfilled with the soluble substance.
 31. A pad according to claim 1,wherein a top side of the stiffening body is formed according to aconvex or concave surface.
 32. A pad according to claim 1, wherein abottom side of the stiffening body is formed according to a convex orconcave surface.
 33. A pad according to claim 25, wherein a smallestdimension of a compartment is smaller than a third of a smallestdiameter of the pad.
 34. A pad according to claim 1, wherein a smallestdimension of a compartment is smaller than twice the thickness of thepad.
 35. A pad according to claim 34, wherein the compartments with thesaid dimensions extend over at least virtually the entire pad.
 36. A padaccording to claim 1, wherein the pad is provided with at least twostiffening bodies positioned above one another.
 37. A pad according toclaim 36, wherein the stiffening bodies are offset in relation to eachother.
 38. A pad according to claim 1, wherein the second covering isprovided with a top sheet manufactured from sheet-shaped filter materialand a bottom sheet manufactured from sheet-shaped filter material,wherein the top sheet and the bottom sheet of the second covering areinterconnected at their perimeter edges and form a circular joint.
 39. Apad according to claim 38, wherein the bottom sheet of the secondcovering is connected to the first covering.
 40. A pad according toclaim 39, wherein the bottom sheet of the second covering is formed bythe top sheet of the first covering.
 41. A pad according to claim 38,wherein the top sheet and/or bottom sheet of the second covering are/ismanufactured from filter paper.
 42. A pad according to claim 1, whereinthe pad is further provided with a holder with a receiving space forincluding an extraction pad filled with a substance to be extracted,wherein the first covering is located below the receiving space and isin fluid communication with the receiving space.
 43. A pad according toclaim 1, wherein at least a bottom side of the stiffening body isprovided with a bulging part.
 44. A pad according to claim 43, whereinthe bulging part is determined by an increase of the height of a part ofthe wall structure.
 45. A pad according to claim 44, wherein the bulgingpart has a surface extending parallel to a surface of the stiffeningbody.
 46. A pad according to claim 45, wherein the surface forms acentral part of the compartmenting wall structure.
 47. A pad accordingto claim 46, wherein the central part is arranged in a receded manner inrelation to a bottom edge of a circumferential wall of the stiffeningbody.
 48. A pad according to claim 47, wherein the bottom sheet extendsover the central surface and from the edge thereof to the bottom edge ofthe circumferential wall, which edge projects in an annular manner, andis fixed on or near this on the stiffening body.
 49. A pad according toclaim 48, wherein the bottom sheet further extends from a fixation onthe bottom edge of the circumferential wall along the circumferentialwall to at least near an outer circumferential edge of the top sheet andis fixed thereon on or near a fixation of the top sheet on thestiffening body.
 50. A pad according to claim 48, wherein the bottomsheet further extends from a fixation on the bottom edge of thecircumferential wall along the circumferential wall and is connected tothe top sheet to form a covering completely enclosing the stiffeningbody.
 51. A pad according to claim 50, wherein the top sheet and/or thebottom sheet are further elongated and are/is connected there to afurther sheet for forming an enclosed receiving space, in which theproduct to be extracted is included.
 52. A pad according to claim 1,wherein, on the stiffening body, a separating body with a number ofpassages is provided.
 53. A pad according to claim 52, wherein theseparating body forms at least a part of the top sheet of the firstcovering.
 54. A pad according to claim 52, wherein the separating bodyis placed above the top sheet of the first covering.
 55. A pad accordingto claim 52, wherein the separating body is placed under the top sheetof the first covering.
 56. A pad according to claim 55, wherein the topsheet consists of a layer of filter material.
 57. A pad according toclaim 55, wherein the top sheet consists of a layer of filter materialnon-transmissive to liquid, which is provided in a removable manner. 58.An assembly of a pad according to claim 1 and an extraction padmanufactured at least partly from sheet-shaped filter material which isfilled with a product to be extracted.
 59. An assembly according toclaim 58, wherein a size of the extraction pad in a width direction ofthe extraction pad at least corresponds to a size of the pad in a widthdirection of the pad.
 60. An assembly according to claim 59, wherein asize of the extraction pad in a width direction of the extraction pad islarger than a size of the pad in a width direction of the pad.
 61. Anassembly of a pad according to claim 60, wherein the pad and theextraction pad each have the shape of a round disc, wherein theextraction pad has a diameter which is at least as large as a diameterof the pad.
 62. An assembly according to claim 61, wherein the diameterof the extraction pad is larger than the diameter of the pad.
 63. Anassembly according to claim 58, wherein the sheet-shaped filter materialof the extraction pad is provided with filter paper.
 64. The pad ofclaim 1, wherein the soluble substance includes at least one of a milkpowder, a creamer, and a sugar.
 65. The pad of claim 4, wherein eachcompartment formed by the wall structure measured perpendicular to apart of the wall structure, has a width which is smaller than an eighthof the hydraulic diameter.
 66. The pad of claim 24, wherein thesynthetic material includes at least one of a plastic material, a metalmaterial, a cardboard material, a rubber material, and a biodegradablematerial.
 67. The pad of claim 26, wherein at least a portion of the topsheet includes a filter material and is transmissive to liquids.
 68. Thepad of claim 33, wherein the smallest dimension of a compartment issmaller than one seventh of the smallest diameter of the pad.
 69. Thepad of claim 52, wherein the separating body includes a waterdistribution plate.
 70. A pad for use in preparing a coffee beverage,the pad comprising: a covering having a top sheet and a bottom sheet; astiffening body provided between the top sheet and the bottom sheet andhaving wall structures that form a plurality of compartments; a solubleadditive, wherein only the soluble additive is provided within at leastsome of the plurality of compartments; a second covering manufactured atleast partly from sheet-shaped filter material and extending parallel tothe first covering; a second substance provided within the secondcovering, the second substance including a coffee product to beextracted; wherein the coffee beverage flows through the top sheet intothe plurality of compartments, completely dissolves the solubleadditive, and flows out of the plurality of compartments through thebottom sheet; wherein the second covering and the second substance aresupported by the stiffening body; wherein at least some of the pluralityof compartments form a honeycomb configuration; and wherein theplurality of compartments comprises a first set of compartments having afirst size and a second set of compartments having a second sizedifferent than the first size and being farther away from a center ofthe stiffening body than the first set of compartments.
 71. The pad ofclaim 70, wherein the second size is larger than the first size.
 72. Apad according to claim 3, wherein the wall structure is formed by aspiral-shaped wall.